Fireproof furniture



April 16, 1935. J. P. KlEsEcKER FIREPROOF FURNITURE 4 Sheets-sheet 1Filed April 9, 1934 W W w W J. P. KlESECKER FIREPROOF FURNITURE ,Amal159 1.935-

' 'Filed April 9, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTK ,//V/E/VTR L/ULAES f?K/ESECKER April i6, 1935. J, P, KIESECKER 159939133 'FIREPROOF FURNITUREFiled April 9, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 5 l .9 :i /NVENTOR y 11| a/Es EK/EsEc/ER B MFM `MAT`TK prfi i6, i935,

` J. P. KHESEQKER www@ FIREPROOF FURNITURE Filed April 9, 1954'lSheeis-Sheet 4 ffA/VEN TGR uw. Es f. K/Ess CKER Patented Apr. 16, 1935UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE Y n 1,998,138 tVA Y Q FmErRoor:.cUrtNrrUl@at:v

I Jules P. KieseckenNeu1 Y'ork,Y. Application April *.9, 1934i Serial f10 Claims. Y

It is an object of this invention toprovide an attractive and ornamentalfireproof Aco nstruction particularly designed and readily adapted to bejoined together in theusual manner to form the ends or head and foot offa bed. It is a further object ctthis invention to provide such aconstruction, which is readily adaptable f0.1' Other uses, such asjoining together in the usual mane ner to form a panel screen. Y

It is to be understood that this improved con* struction is not limitedto its use in beds and screens as it is. readily adaptable for otherpur; poses .by making ccviocsdetail changes from the forms illustratedherein,

With these and other objects in View, refer'A ence is lmade to theaccompanying sheets ci drawings which illustrate preferred embodimentsof this invention, with the understanding that detail changes may bemade therein without de parting from the scope thereof;

In the drawings?- Y Figure 1 is a view of an. embodiment of this.

in accordance with this invention, With the consv nesting bars brokenaway in the center and cen.-

tracted, and in which the foot is shown in Sec.-A tOli, taken on theline 2-.-2, .Figure l, looking in the direction of vthe arrows.

Figure 3 is a View in side elevation` ofv the ber enveloping a cornerpost as cut outtoengagethe -anel or end board .of the `foot .of the bedY p a modiflcatlon .ef the construction ,Shown 1.11 F15- shown AinFigure l.

Figure i is an enlarged detail View intrans` verse vertical sectiontaken on theline 444, Figure l, with parts broken away. f Figure 5 is anenlarged detail fragmentary View in transverse horizontal sectiontakerron the line 5- 5, Figure l.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 1 o f a modied form of thisinvention.

Figure '7 is a View similar to Figure 3 illus.- trating the memberenveloping the corner post shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view in vertical transverse section takenon the .line BTB. Figure 6, with-ports broken away, v .l

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail View in transe versc horizontal sectiontaken on the lice S21-9.

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail viewr iriyerticaltransverse. .sectiontaken @tithe line lie-i3, Figure llgwth parts brokcnfawny, l

. @surgi-4. is .a fragmentary enlarged detail View introns/ers@horizontal' section taken on the line .ILY-.MfEi-sure .10- ...Figure .15is an enlarged detail View in transe. verse horizontal section taken onthe line iSv-l 5l Figure' .1.9. Y f Figure 16 is a `view similar to.Figure 1 of another mcdicd form cf` invention. f

Figure .17 .is a view similar t .Figure .2 illusf Hating the.modification shown in Fien-re 16.

Figure 1 8 is an 'enlarged fragmentary detail view in'vertcal section.showing the .means ci attachingth @11d posts .in place.- Y .Figure.191s cccnlareed fragmentary detail View .in trahsvcrsehcrizcntalsection taken on the une IB-vllgligure L6..

.2.0 ..1 an enlarged; fragmentary .View taken in transycrse .Verticalsection on the line ZDHZmFigure 15, Y v- Figure 2 1 is a projected Viewiplspetive 1111.15-

tratinethemcfns of attachins'thecnd posts in place as `shwm in Figure16.

Figure 22is a fragmentary enlarged detail View in end elevation Similarto Figure. 18, illustrating ure 16. f.

Figure 23 is a projected View in perspective i1- lustratirig the means@attachingthe corner post of the construction shown `in .Figure 22.

f Figure .24 is a View in front elevation of an application ofithisinventiontc a two panel screen. Figure 25 is an enlarged View intransverse ver,- tical s'ection vtaken .on the line 25H25! Figure 24,with parts broken away.-

Figure 2.6 a view in .section .taken on the line' 2.8..-.26 of Figrc2.5,1oo1sr`ieiri the direction of. the arrows. 1 Figure 27 an enlargeddetail raemcntary View in the section taken on the line 2121, Figure 24,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 28 is a projected view in perspective illustrating the means ofattaching the end members to the panels.

This invention is a further development or a carrying on of theprinciple of producing light weight extremely strong fireproof furnitureas disclosed in this applicants Reissue Patent No. 19,112 of March13,1934. While said patent relates to fireproof chairs per se, Patent No.1,953,513 of April 3, 1934, a division of the earlier application,relates to chests of drawers, highboys or commodes, and this inventionhas applied the broad novel principles so disclosed to the production ofreinforced freproof panels which may be most advantageously employed inconstructing beds and screens as well as other obvious uses withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

In carrying out this invention, it is contemplated to employ commercialmetal structural forms or shapes, preferably of aluminum, for the mainsupporting members which are interlocking in character and preferablyspot-welded together with other commercial metal structural forms orshapes for spacing and connecting members between said main supportingmembers and, when desired, to mount commercial metal structural forms orshapes, commercial metal covered panels, or commercial panels ofcompressed reproof material therebetween.

Several different forms and applications of this invention areillustrated upon the accompanying drawings. f

Figures l to 4, inclusive,illustrate an embodiment of this inventionasapplied to structures forming the ends of beds of the usual metal type.

` The feet board or panel -I is'of the same construction as the headboard or panel 2 and the two are provided with any preferred means forattachment to the usual side bars 3, as shown in Figure 2. As shown inFigures l and 5, the main'supporting members are formed by a channel 4bent in the form of a flat arch, having itsanges extending upwardly andoutwardly providing a rigid top spacing member with 'rigid'dependinglegs. Each leg is reinforced throughout its length by a channel 5interlocked with the leg channel, as shown in Figure 5, and vmay bespot-Welded thereto. It is preferable to extend the upper end of eachreinforcing member 5 beyond the curve of the main member to terminate ina plane passing through the top of the atarch spacing member.

A rectangular metallic split sleeve 6 of such dimensions as to embracethe channel 4 forming the fiat arch is placed thereover with its sidesdepending below `the curved portions and extending from one member 5 tothe other, 'with its lower split edges spaced apart sufiiciently toembrace the top of a panel I of commercial compressed'reproof material.Y'I'he panel 1 is formed so that its sides are snuglyk received betweenthe members 5. A metallic sleeve or envelope 8 of a length equal'tolthereinforcing member 5 and of such a shape as toy embrace the interlockedchannels 4 and 5 provided with a longitudinal slot 9 of such shape as toreceive the sides of the split sleeve 6 and panel 1 ris then forced overthe lower end of each reinforcedleg with the split sleeve B and panel 1assembled upon the main supporting channel member 4. The envelopingsleeve 8`may be( rectangular in shape to snugly receive the ,interlockedchannels 4 and 5, may be of suflicient dimension to be spaced apart fromthe main supporting channel 4, and the corner out of contact with theembraced channels maybe rounded, as shown in Figure 5. The envelope 8may be secured in position, as by spot-welding.

It is preferable to close the bottom of the envelope 8 with a metallicfoot I, which may support a caster II. It is also preferable to providean ornamental top rail I2 across the top, which may be of metal,i'lreproofed Woods or the like, undercut to embrace-the top of the splitsleeve 6, ends of the reinforcing member 5 and Aends of the envelope 8siurounding them, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The top rail, if ofmetal, may be spot-welded or may be secured to the flat .portion of themain channel 4 by tap screws I3, threaded through the top of the splitsleeve 6 and web of the channel 4, as` shown in Figure 4. The bottom ofthe slot 9 in the envelopes 8 supports the panel 'l in place with f itsupper end embraced by the split sleeve 6 and its sides embraced by thesides of the slot 9. If desired a beading I4 of metal, reproofed wood orthe like may be'applied about the edges of the panel 'I by extending theflat side of the panel engaging surface of the beading to enter betweenthe spaced apart portions of the split sleeve 6, as shown in'Figure 5,and between the edges of the groove 9. Also, if desired, the beading maybe supported at different heights across the bottom of the panel byproviding an L- shaped metallic support I5 extending from envelope 8 toenvelope 8 being welded or screwed thereto and having its upper endflanged inward to engage the beading I4 on one side and its lowerarm inengagement with the bottom of the panel I and extended therebeyondsuiliciently to support the beading I4 on the opposite side. The supportI5 and lower beading may be secured in any desired manner, as by screwspassing through the bottom of the support to engage the body of thepanel l' and said beading, as shown in Figure 4.

In the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the panel 1 formsa continuous flat surface between the top rail I2 and corner postsformed by the envelopes 8. It may be desired to substitute a pluralityof equally spaced apart vertical rods in place of the' said continuoussurface, and such a construction is shown in Figures 6 to 9, inclusive.

In this form two rectangular metallic rod supporting and spacing membersI having closed ends are placed the desired dista-nce apart and securedto the respective main channel 4, as by' passing tap screws through theweb of the channel to engage the end of the support IS, as shown inFigure 9, with the upper support in engagement with the spaced apartbottom portions of the split sleeve 6, as shown in Figure 8. A pluralityof rods I'I are passed through' equally spaced apart apertures providedin the opposite sides of the upper support I5 with their upper 4endsentering between the spaced apart portions j of the split sleeve 6 andtheir lower ends passed .through similar apertures provided in the upperside of the lower support IG to rest upon and be supported upon thebottom or lower side thereof. Also, if desired, an L-shaped bracketsimilar to that disclosed in Figure 4, but having the flanges on itsupper end continued under the lower support I6 and received thereto mayl be provided to balance the split sleevel 6, forthe sake of appearance.

Another form of furniture panel as contemthe adjacent sides of theenvelope 8.

plated by this invention and adaptable'for the ends of bedsv is shown inFigures 10 to 15', inelusive, in which the panel 1 of reproong materialis employed as the spacing member between the corner posts.

In this form, it is preferable to enclose the top and bottom of thepanell with a metallic casing` I8 with the sides insetto be flush withthe outer surfaces of the panel. Theisides of the panel are preferablysecuredV tothe supporting members of the corner posts by providing ametallic member I 9 havinga ilange 2|! adapted to engage one side of thepanel andia Au-shaped or deep channel member 2| with one of its flangesengaging the opposite side of the panel and the two secured thereinv bytap. screws 22 passed.

through the flange 2|! of the member I9, body of the panel and flange.of the channel 2|. kIf desired the member I9 may be in the form of achannel with theflanges cutoutand the web bent to form the ange 20 and.so formed that the normal flange below the cutout portion pro-` vides acontinuation of the outer langeof the channel 2| securedV to the panel.VThe other support member includes a metallic channelZS interlockingwith the member I3 and is placed thereon after the tap screws 22 havesecuredzthe members 20 and 2I upon the panel and maybe secured theretoas by spot Welding. The membersY I9 and 23 vextend throughout the entirelength of the corner posts while the members 2B and 2| extend onlythroughout the length of y the panel 1. f n

After the supporting members I9, 2| and.. 23 have been secured to thesides: of the panella rectangular metallic sleeve 8 for enveloping thesupporting member, in the same manner as dis- .f A panel 1 is forcedover the bottom of the supporting member to completely envelop the sameand engage the bottom of the panel. It is preferable to providerectangular metallic split. sleeves 24 of substantially the same widthas the envelope 8 with the spaced apart portions embracing the sides ofthe panel. A top rail I2, similar to that described in the precedingforms, out out on the underside to embrace thetops `of the en-z velopedcorner posts'and top of the split sleeve 24 is secured thereon, as by,screws 25 passing through the top of the split sleeve 24 to be engagedby the body of the panel 1. The lower split sleeve 24 may be securedalso rby similar screws. The split sleeves 24't snugly between Feet luand support caster II may be secured to the bottoms of the corner postsas hereinafter described.

The form of this invention illustrated in Figures 16 to 2l, inclusive,show another manner of spacing the corner posts and supportingtherebetween a plurality of spaced apartrods to form a panel similar tothat shown in Figure 6.

In this type the corner posts are formed of interlocking channels 26 and2lia extending throughout the entire length'of each part and may bespot-welded. The interlocked channels are encased in a rectangularmetallic envelope 21 throughout rtheir entire length, thecorner free ofthe channels may be rounded, as shown in Figure 19. The spacing memberseach include Ya pair of metallic channels 28 spaced apart with theirflanges extending toward each other. The opposite ends of the spacingchannels are passed through similarly shaped aligned apertures 28a inthe assembled corner post channels 2,6 and'lIel and envelopes 21, asshown in the projected View, Figure 2l. The spacing .channels 28 aresecured upon .the interior ofthe corner posts by drift pins 23 passedthrough apertures 3|l providedv therefore in the end of each web of'each channel 23,

as shcwnvin Figures liland 19. Each pair of.

spacing channels 28 are encased in a rectangular envelope 3|, the endsof which engage the adjacent surfaces of .-.the envelopes 21 of thecorner posts and hold the drift pins' 29 in engagement with the interiorof each post.

A plurality of spaced apart vertical rods 32 arey supported in thespacing member by providing a plurality oitl apertures passing throughthe channels 28 and both top and bottom of thespacing envelope 3|aboutthe upper spacing and supporting member through whichl the upper ends ofthe rods 32 may pass, and by providing similar in the under cut portionof a top rail 34, similar to those hereinbefore described, whichundercut portion also embraces the tops of the corner posts. Figures22fand 23 illustrate the above described construction as appliedwhen itis desired to use hollow vcylindrical members 35 and 36 for the cornerposts and a cylindrical supporting member 31 encased in a cylindricalspacing member 38. As shown, theends vof the member 31 are transverselyslotted to form projectingV tongues 38 which are received in arcuatealignedY apertures 4l] in the assembled corner posts and secured bydrift pins passed through( apertures 40. provided in the tongues, in thesame manner as hereinbefore' de# scribed. y l

The forms above described have rectangular corner posts and in theseforms including a panel of insulating material are adapted as well asthe one described to be united by the commercial screen `hinges to forma multi-panel screen as the bottoms of the panels may be supported asnear the iloor as desired. Figures 24 to 28, inclusive, illustrateanother modification of this vinvention which may be used as a bed endbut is particularly designed for use as a screen panel.

Figure 24 illustrates a two panel screen in which the panels are joinedto each other by commercial screen hinges 4I so thatrthey may be foldedin either direction, if desired. Each panel includes a rectangular sheet42 of commercial compressed reproof materialengaging on each side withcornerV posts or supports. Each support includes two interlockingchannels 43 and 44 extending throughout their length and secured to eachother as by spot welding. The disengaged flange of` one of the channels,

such as the flange 45 of the channel 44, is exprovided with a groove 46parallel'to and coex- `tensive with said side edge adapted to receiveSSL and be engaged by the end of the iiange 45 with y the Aedge of theside engaging the center of the web of the other channel, if desired, asshown in Figure 27. It is preferable to cover the top and bottom exposededge's of th sheet or panel 42 with a split metallic sleeve 41 which maybe rectangular in cross section or of tubular form, as shown. The end ofthe panel 42 is inserted between the spaced apart portions of the splitsleeve 41 until the opposite portion is engaged and the contacting endmay be secured thereto, as by countersunk screws, if desired. Each endof each sleeve 41V in engagement with an end of the panel 42 is providedwith a longitudinal tongue 48 projecting' slightly therebeyond andadapted to engage the ilange entering into the groove 46.

When the supporting members 43 and 44 have been assembled withy thespacing sleeve 41 on the panel ends and the panel grooves 46 inengagement with the flange 45, a rectangular metallic sleeve 49 having alongitudinal slot 50 of sufficient width to snugly receive the panel 42is forced over the bottom of each supporting mem. ber to completelyenvelopthe same with the bodies of the spacing split sleeves 41 inengagement with the envelope 49 and the tongues 48 entering into theslot'50 thereof. It is preferable to close the top opening'in the slot50 by a. cap 5i having a recess upon the underside to receive the topofthe supporting. member and extend downwardly thereover to engage thetop ofthe upper spacing sleeve 41. The bottom of the slot 5D engages andsupports the lower spacing member 41 through its tongue 48. The bottomsof the supporting membermay be provided with metallic feet 52 embracingthe same, if desired, and the feet may support casters or not, as thecase may be. l

It is preferable to employ aluminum or duraluminum throughout for vthemetal construction and sheets of commercial compressed fireproofmaterial or sheets of re resisting material with a thin sheet of metalsecured to each side for the panels. r'

This construction is therefore not only of.

light weight and nreproombut is also inexpensive and possesses greatstrength.

What I claim is: Y

l. A metallic furniture panel including a plurality of structural metalshapes interlocked to form side supports, a plurality of structuralmetal shapes arranged between and secured to said side supports to formspacing members therefor, and means forming a part of said spacingmembers coacting to support and secure aL closure for the spacetherebetween including a split sleeve, embracing the upper spacingmember and a top rail embracing the tops of the side supports and top ofthe split sleeve and secured thereto.

2. A metallic furniture panel including a plurality of structural metalshapes interlocked to' form side supports, a` plurality of structuralmetal shapes arrangedbetween and secured to said supports to formspacing members therefor, va panel of reproong material, means forming apart of said spacing members for, engaging the respective top and bottomof saidpanel, and means forming a part ofy said side supports forengaging the respective sides of said ,panel by providing slots in theinterlockingportions of the side supports to receive said -side edges ofsaid panel with one sideof each slothaving an Vlnturned flange, means tosecure the edges of the' panel to said flanges, and a metallic envelopesurrounding said side supports slotted longitudinally to engage thebottom and contiguous sides of said panel and hold the same in place.

' 3. A reproof bed end including a metal structural shape bent in theform ofV a flat arch with the side portions depending perpendicular tothe at portions to form corner posts, additional metal structural shapesinterlocked with each side portion and extended to the plane of the flatarch, a split sleeve embracing the flat arch portions, a panel embracedat its top by the split sleeve with its sides in engagement with thedepending perpendicular portion of the arch, and a continuous metallicenvelope slotted to receive the sides of the panel and ends of the splitsleeve passed over each corner post to hold the panel in position.

4; The structure of claim 3 including a top rail recessed upon theunderside to embrace both corner posts and split sleeve, and meanssecuring the top rail to the at portions of the arch.

5. A fu'eproof bed end including corner posts formed of interlockingstructural metal channels with the corresponding adjacent channels ineach corner post cut out and bent back for a portion of its height, apanel interposed between thecorner posts with its opposite edges passingthrough cut out channels and in engagement with the bent back portion,an angle iron arranged on the opposite sides of the panel, meanssecuring the angle iron and bent back channel portion to the panel, anda continuous metal envelope about each corner post slottedlongitudinally to receive'and embrace the sides of the panel and hold itin position.

6. The structure of claim 5, including split sleeves embracing the topand bottom of the panel and engaging said envelopes.

'7. The structure of claim 5, including split sleevesA embracing the topand bottom of the panel and engaging said envelopes, and a topr railembracing the tops of the corner posts and upperysplit sleeve and meansfor securing the top rail to the panel.

8. A re'proof bed end including a plurality of structural metalshapesinterlocked to form side supports, a continuous metallic envelopesurrounding the interlocked members of each support to form al cornerpost, spacing members between .the corner posts each including spacedapart channels passing through individualv openings in each corner posttov receive the adjacent end of the spacing members, and a continuousmetallicV envelope rsurrounding each spacing member and engaging theopposite corner posts, the ends of each channel passing through theenvelopeand each interlocked supporting members therein and securedtherein with the spacing envelope in contact with the corner postenvelope.

9. The structure of claim 8 including a top rail embracing the tops ofthe respective corner posts.

l0. The structure of claim 8 including a recessed vtop rail embracingeach corner post and the top of a split sleeve embracing the upperportion of the upperV supporting member.

' JULES P. KIESECKER.

